News

MOM Updates Marriage and Parenthood Package

Introduction of Paternity Leave, Enhancements to Maternity and Parental Leave

News by:
Ministry of Manpower
21 January 2013 —

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Singapore has introduced leave enhancements to the Marriage and Parenthood package in support of a Pro-Family environment in Singapore. The enhancements include:

Extension of the maternity protection to cover the full pregnancy period

Covers full pregnancy period from 3 months to 6 months before delivery to safeguard expecting female employees from unfair dismissals. Check the MOM website for more details.

Introduction of Shared Parental Leave to allow fathers to share up to 1 week of the mother’s maternity leave

Entitles working fathers to share 1 week of mother’s maternity leave provided they meet MOM guidelines. The leave must be consumed as a continuous block within 12 months of the birth of the child unless there is mutual agreement between the employer and employee. Check the MOM website for more details.

Introduction of 1 week Government-Paid Paternity Leave

Entitles working fathers to 1 week Government-Paid Paternity Leave to be taken within 16 weeks after the birth of the child. This leave can be taken flexibly within 12 months after the birth of the child, if there is mutual agreement between the employer and employee. Check the MOM website for more details

Extension of 2 days Childcare Leave for each parent with a Singapore citizen child between the ages of 7 and 12

Parents with children aged 7-12 will be entitled to 2 days of Government Paid Child Care Leave (CCL) provided they meet the MOM criteria. Check the MOM website for more details.

Provision for 4 weeks of Government-Paid Adoption Leave

Entitles mothers who have adopted a child to four (4) weeks of Government Paid Adoption Leave. The Government will reimburse employers up to a cap of $10,000 for the 4 calendar weeks. For more details, please visit this link.

Although the Legislation governing these leave schemes is effective from 1 May 2013, employers are encouraged to implement the new benefits for any Singapore citizen births from 1 January 2013.

Marriage leave is not regulated by the government and is entitled to the employee based on employer to employer basis.